PONDA: Raia Sporting Club got the better of Nerul SC 3-1 to enter the semi-finals of 30th St Anne’s Festival Soccer organized by Ponda Footballers in association with Dr Ketan Bhatikar’s SPARC, at Animal Husbandry ground Curti, Ponda, on Thursday.
Lloyd Cardose netted a brace while Danny Cardoso scored another goal for Raia in the first half. Aniket Azgarwadker reduced the margin for Nerul in the second half.
Aniket passed to Deepraj inside the box but his strike ballooned over. At the other end Raia’s Lloyd dogged two defenders from the flanks, but his shot was saved by the Nerul keeper.
Raia opened the account in the 5th minute as Danny beat the keeper hands down.
Nerul nearly equalised when Deepray got a loose ball inside the box with the keeper out of the goal but his shot went wide.
Raia increased the lead when Nerul SC defender missed to clear the chip and Lloyd controlled the ball and placed it at the back of the net.
In injury time Sheelnan gave a through ball to Lloyd who chipped over the advancing keeper to make it 3-0.
In the second half, Nerul started on a positive note as Nerul attacked through Deepraj and a defender pushed him to the ground which resulted in a penalty. Aniket Agarwadker scored from the spot to keep hopes alive for Nerul SC.
Nerul’s Mathew nearly reduced the margin when his shot kissed the crossbar. Again Nerul attacked when Paul power packed shot was punched out by Raia keeper.
In another match, Sai Avtar, Anjuna defeated Ponda Footballers 2-1 to enter the semis. Anjuna dominated the first half and scored both the goals through Navin Shirodkar and Rohan Kamble while Ponda came very strong in the second half and reduced the margin through Henry.
